How to wear a graduation ring

A guide to help you choose wisely

As a general rule, the graduation ring is normally worn on the ring finger of the right hand or on the little finger of either. Times, however, are changing and there are plenty of exceptions to this rule if you want to upset the status-quo and wear your ring on another finger.

Read on and hopefully our quick guide will bring a little clarity and help you choose a finger wisely.

“The traditionalist: Ring finger”

The classic place to wear a graduation ring is on the ring finger of the right hand, the same finger on the left hand being for a wedding band. A ring here flatters almost any style and looks simple and elegant – something many of the world’s chicest and snappiest dressers have long known. On a practical level, graduation rings, when taken care of, will last for many lifetimes, if the ring is something you are thinking of passing down the generations this is probably the best way to wear it. It’s also practical, as it is genuinely hard to think of a place where a ring on this finger would be inappropriate in 2018.

“The aesthetic: Little finger/ Pinkie ”

The mark of a truly beautiful thing is that it will be more appealing with age than it was when it was new. Aficionados and purists might favour the ring finger, but the virtues of the pinkie are that it is fuss-free, practical and conveys a respectful level of formality.

It’s remarkable how varied an impression a ring on this finger can make, from being ultra-conservative to appearing decidedly raffish, and all the points in between. Ultimately, though, if a graduation ring is an item that becomes part of its owner’s biography – gaining character and memory – this is the finger on which a graduation signet can grow old gracefully.

“The experimenter: Index finger”

If you want to play around and don’t feel compelled to gravitate towards the more classical styles, you can wear your graduation on your index finger. A ring on this finger speaks eloquently of the unconventional, of a nonchalance about how you put yourself together and a willingness to mix elements. One word of warning however: it is better to play it safe, size wise, a ring works best on this finger when it not too big.

“The unsung hero: Middle finger”

Received wisdom may have this finger down as probably the least promising place for a ring. But we increasingly like to extol the case for the middle ground: it is a place for bold multitaskers, somewhere a ring can stay out of the way when your hands are full – think a photographer using their camera or a judge with their gavel.

There is not much more to say, those who wish to conjure a bohemian look and a devil-may-care attitude know who they are.

“The bohemian: Thumb”

The thumb speaks of beatnik creativity. It might not look good in a conservative work place – but it has a down to earth quality and increasingly the more sartorially inventive among us are finding a way to make it work. We would never try to limit your imagination, but it is probably not such a good idea to try anything other than a band ring here.